Tax fraud/evasion - I am accused!

[Jux]

It might be a scam though.

Just got a call on my mobile, automated, telling me a case has been lodged against my name for tax fraud or evasion and to press 1. I spoke to a woman with an almost indecipherable accent, who said a case had been lodged. Did I have a legal representative? No I haven't. Then she asked for my name, which I gave, then confirmation of my address - i only gave the first line which is just a house name. She asked if was working, I said no. The line had a lot of intereference and I couldn't hear what she said next, I asked her to repeat and while she did interference got worse and then there was a beep and it went dead.

I haven't worked for 2 years, possibly 3 now, but used to beself-employed, and am still filling in tax returns showing an income from a rental property we own, my only income apart from my PIP - if it's asked for on the form I'll have put it but can't remember if they do ask.

They haven't rung back and I don't know whether I should dig out my ta office number and ask them; I'm inclined to leave it and let them call me again if they want to. What do you think I should do?

Scam, just ignore and block the number.

It’s a scam

You need to ring the HMRC.

This could be a hoax and you have been charged a fortune when you pressed 1 to be connected to whoever it was.

I’m pretty sure this is a scam . If HMRC have a query or start an investigation , they will write to you . I would block the number and don’t worry about it. Be wary of any other calls from numbers you don’t recognise.

Honestly, it sounds like a scam. However I don't know how you'd go about verifying if there is a genuine accusation of tax fraud against you. Presumably the tax office would be the first port of call. I'd probably look up the .gov website & find out the number from there.

It's a scam. Because you've engaged with them you should expect more calls in future, you're seen as a potential target.

Don't ever confirm personal details - even just your name - if someone calls you.

HMRC never call about tax issues - it's a scam

Scam

I get these quite often on my landline. I also get a recorded message with a deep, authoritarian voice telling me that the 'Law enforcement agency' has a case against me. I always just put the phone down. Law enforcement agency have not come knocking yet. Ignore in future.

This is a scam, report to action fraud

Yes, I’d speak to your phone operator in case they’ve added charges.

I work in an accountants and we get at least a couple of clients a week at the moment calling us with this scam.

Seems to have taken over from the 'you have a tax refund due' scam which is now as old as the hills

For anyone reading.....HMRC will write to you at your registered address for anything other than what you have expressly permitted them to contact you about via e-mail. IF they ever call someone it is ALWAYS ok to not answer any questions and ask them to write to you or your agent if you have one instead. This includes debt collection agencies who act on behalf of Hmrc. Tbh if they are phoning you for debt collection they will have already sent a flurry of letters and 99.999% of people who do have overdue debts with Hmrc will be self employed or business owners etc. who already know the debt the call wouldn't be a surprise iykwim.

Ignore it OP

I'm not joking - give them the number of your local police; just don't tell them it's the police but say it's your representative's number and all further enquiries should be directed to them.

Scam
The 'have a good day' at the end made me chuckle
Mine was a Manchester number
Googled it - came up as a scam so reported it to action fraud

Fgs, it’s a scam! Don’t ever accept these calls!

Seriously? How can you think this is in any way genuine?

I always wonder why people still make these calls, but it's clear that some people think they're genuine.

Just got a call on my mobile, automated, telling me a case has been lodged against my name for tax fraud or evasion and to press 1. I spoke to a woman with an almost indecipherable accent, who said a case had been lodged. Did I have a legal representative? No I haven't. Then she asked for my name, which I gave

For the love of all that's Holy why ?! Just why ?

Rule #1 of getting any phone call is they have to prove to you who they are. And even then (in my case) they can jog on, because I never do any personal business on the phone.

Now the banks are slowly tightening up their security, there's going to be a rise in scam calls again, so it's a good idea to mentally up your security regime now.

Seriously? A case has been lodged against your name but they don't know what your name is!

Thanks everyone! Yes I know I was stupid, usually I'm a bit more alert; I think the HMRC thing put me off my stroke a bit.

I haven't had a multitude of calls since then, though. Maybe that's still to come....

Wait till you get your phone bill OP....